"Putin noted that this cruel murder has every sign of being a contract one which has solely provovative nature," Peskov said.

"The president has ordered the leadership of the Investigative Committee, the Interior Ministry and the Federal Security Service to form an investigative group and keep the investigation of this crime under personal control," he said.

"The Russian president expresses deep condolences to relatives and friends of Boris Nemtsov, who died tragically," Peskov said.